From pain to progress: Andrea’s journey shows the power of prevention

When Brisbane local Andrea first joined the My health for life program, she wasn’t sure what to expect. After suffering a serious back injury nearly two decades ago, she had endured multiple surgeries, chronic pain, and limited mobility. The road to recovery had been long — and at times, discouraging.

“I felt stuck,” Andrea said. “No matter what I tried, I couldn’t seem to shift the weight. The pain just made everything harder.”

But a simple conversation with her GP opened a new door. She was referred to My health for life, a free health coaching program supported by Health and Wellbeing Queensland. That’s when things began to change.

Andrea was matched with a personal health coach who helped her set realistic goals and stay motivated. With support, she started swimming and walking again, discovered a local gym, and made small, sustainable changes to her eating habits — focusing particularly on portion control.

Today, Andrea has lost 5kg. More importantly, she’s regained confidence, sleeps better, and feels more optimistic about her future.

“I realised I’m not broken,” she said. “I just need to go at my own pace. This program helped me feel like myself again, and that’s something I didn’t think was possible.”

Renewed Funding to Support More Stories Like Andrea’s

Andrea’s story is just one of thousands made possible by My health for life, which is among 6 Queensland preventive health programs receiving a share of more than $43 million in renewed Queensland Government funding through Health and Wellbeing Queensland.

Delivered by Diabetes Australia in partnership with the Healthier Queensland Alliance, My health for life offers free, personalised health coaching to adults at risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.

From July 2021 to June 2025 our data shows that more than 57,200 Queenslanders have completed a health risk assessment through the program. Of those, 12,400 individuals have taken the next step to reduce their risk of chronic disease and joined a free 6-week coaching course — either online, over the phone, or face-to-face in their communities.

And the results speak for themselves:

• 65% of participants who completed the program achieved a reduced waist circumference.
• 70% improved their fruit intake, while 19% boosted their vegetable consumption.
• Over half met physical activity guidelines.
• Nearly half reported an improved quality of life just 6 months after finishing the program.

These positive outcomes are being seen right across the state — from Brisbane to Cairns — and even within culturally and linguistically diverse communities. For example, Mandarin-speaking participant Ziggy Zhao joined a group session delivered in his first language.

“Our coach, Wen, was excellent,” Ziggy said. “The program wasn’t just about what to do — it was about understanding why it works. It’s respectful, accessible, and it changed the way I live.”

Investing in prevention, saving lives

Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, said the government’s renewed investment is helping more Queenslanders live healthier, longer lives.

“Since 2021, almost 456,000 Queenslanders have taken positive steps towards better health through our prevention programs — and that number keeps growing,” Dr Littlewood said.

“Prevention and a strong public health system go hand in hand. When we invest in prevention, we change futures.”

With preventable health issues like obesity, poor nutrition, smoking and inactivity placing enormous pressure on the health system — costing up to $4.6 billion a year — programs like My health for life are not just making a difference; they’re essential.

More programs making an impact

• Deadly Choices – Encouraging better health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through education and cultural connection.
• 10,000 Steps – Motivating Queenslanders to move more every day and track their steps.
• Healthier Tuckshops Program – Supporting schools to offer healthier food options.
• QCWA Country Kitchens – Teaching nutrition and cooking skills in rural and remote areas.
• Life Ed Queensland – Delivering age-appropriate health and wellbeing education to children across the state.

Additional initiatives like Podsquad, Pick of the Crop, and A Better Choice continue to support families, kids, and communities in building lifelong healthy habits.

As Andrea’s journey shows, small changes — supported by the right programs — can lead to powerful transformations.